Reliant Robin

Yes I do - I rate Benji quite a bit higher than Lee Smart and Dan Greenwood on a par, so far from a foregone conclusion

Think these could be closer affairs than certain Robins fans are giving credit for. No Worrall is a blow, but still expect to hold 3-3's in the reserve races (so not a comfortable 10-2 swing as mentioned earlier). Top 5's are well matched. Be happy with 3 points from the 2 meetings.

One of the better meetings I've seen from Poole, kept me entertained throughout. I'm quite liking the draft system personally, few crinkles to iron out but hopefully they stick with it. I believe that the draft riders should be allowed to take all 4 of their programmed rides. Good 3 points for Poole, think these fixtures will do Holder some good and glad to see him in Elite League action, even if it is only short term.

If the 8 day rule applies then should he be booked by Belle Vue in the first place? Sarjeant rode for Coventry at Swindon last Thursday

Unsure on the 7 day rule and whether it applies to draft riders. Regarding replacements for a missing draft rider, it is any rider on the full draft list who falls underneath the draft position of the missing rider. That can be any of those that did not get picked in the draft but were available, or anyone else on the draft providing their draft 'ranking' is below the missing rider.

Could be a tough meeting this one, and the Robins will have to perform a lot better than they did last week. Robins to sneak it by 2-4 points at the end. Collection and well wishes being taken for Darryl Ritchings: http://www.swindonrobins.co/news.php?extend.2163

Maybe a pity, but it is correct - see my previous post on the topic

You can be as selective as you wish, that is up to each individual. The harsh part was calling it a 'farce' for even starting when there was absolutely no reason for it not to have started.

I agree he seems to have slipped, but I was hoping he may just recapture some of the form he showed for the Robins in 2011. Granted we were awful that year, but he was one positive from the season and showed plenty of ability both in gating and passing going on to win our rider of the year (the competition wasn't top shelf material!)

A tad harsh. The weather wasn't bad at the start - and the meeting would have got to a finish if it hadn't been for a couple of hold ups. Frustrating performance from the Robins - need Simon to kick on from his last one and Klindt to pick things up. And maybe a quick briefing on what the black and white helmet means

I'd take that for the first home meeting of the season. It is being said that we'll be out done at reserve, and whilst I understand why that is thought I believe Steve Worrall will surprise a few.

I've been very impressed with Lawson's early season form. Looking good tonight and he also impressed me at Lakeside on Friday. Good luck to the lad

Looks like Met Office & BBC have similar, with other forecasts suggesting nothing of the sort! Who knows! Hopefully we'll all wake up tomorrow to bright sunshine staying in for the day - or at least a forecast akin to the one on the link posted earlier by myself which is usually fairly reliable.

Another pessimistic post about the forecast. Where is all of this rain predicted? I've looked at 3 separate forecasts all showing approx. 1mm of rain due between 10am-10pm tomorrow evening. Hardly an opening of the heavens. Have early call offs given reason for so much negativity on forecasts, or has the negativity given reason for early call offs?!

This site is normally pretty accurate - I reckon it'll be ok http://www.yr.no/place/United_Kingdom/England/Swindon/

Hope not! Want to see some Speedway! The forecast I've seen shows heavy overnight on Wednesday and up to 6am Thursday morning, with Thursday being dry, so could be perfect! Let the weather gods do the watering

Bear in mind that when fixtures were done Batchelor wasn't a GP rider

Initially thought the same, but sure I read somewhere that part of his visa conditions are that he can't race for anyone else but Leicester, even as a guest.

Just catching up on this thread - was this not sufficient (day before the meeting) unless I'm completely missing the point. It does happen!! http://www.swindonrobins.co/news.php?extend.2150 Can't see the Robins getting anything from this one, Lakeside always going to be a tough nut to crack at home and in Bech have what should be one of the biggest improvers average wise in the League

Fair play Chalkie...as you say, I think it was the right call. Whilst it's frustrating we have to bear in mind that these things aren't done out of spite, they're done in the best interests of the Club and in turn its fans

Not a fan of early call offs personally but can understand the reasons. It's one of those cases where if it's proved to be an incorrect call then the Club will be slated, and if proved correct then they'll get no thanks for it. We'll see which way this one goes. IF it proves to be the correct call, then there is little point in sitting just waiting for the rain to come in.

We're all guilty of becoming weather experts on the day of a meeting, understandably so given the costs involved of travelling to meetings etc. But when lots are predicting the weather to win (seeds of negativity sewn early on) why are we surprised when it actually does? Not our money at risk when folk are put off by the rain clouds.

Good chance to see Holder racing at Blunsdon this year, we'll get to see Ward on 18th April. Tough one to call this, Poole do look a cracking side and can see Milik taking to Blunsdon quite well. Neck on the line, I'll go for Robins by 2. Looking forward to seeing some racing!

Haha, can't get him one way so we'll change direction! Laughable! Why would he need to be there more than 2 hours beforehand having been assured that all is well? He doesn't need to meet with Stadium officials, the running of the meeting is down to the Promotion. A Meeting co-ordinator is there to liaise between SCB Officials & Broadcasters. 2 hours beforehand, when there are meant to be no issues (see A Harkess statement) is ample.

Mr Russell wasn't there as a track man - not by any stretch of your imagination. If he was there as a track man then he would have been there Saturday and Sunday working on the track. As it was, he turned up for his Meeting Co-ordinator duties just over 2 hours before start time. I know some like to shift the blame in that direction, but this one lays only with the Coventry Promotion I'm afraid.